WJPA Sports

PITTSBURGH — A Chicago-based investment company is close to buying the Pittsburgh Penguins from Fenway Sports Group. Multiple outlets, citing anonymous sources, report that the Hoffmann Family of Companies is nearing a deal to buy the Penguins from Fenway Sports Group. Financial details haven’t been released, though Forbes recently valued the team at around $1.7 billion. Any agreement would have to be approved by the NHL’s Board of Governors. The sale would end FSG’s brief ownership of the five-time Stanley Cup winners. FSG purchased the Penguins in late 2021.

In NCAA volleyball, it’s Final Four time with Texas A&M facing Pittsburgh and Wisconsin against Kentucky on Thursday. The winners advance to Sunday’s championship match. The Aggies and Badgers recently defeated top seeds Nebraska and Texas. Last year’s championship game drew 1.3 million viewers, and attendance records have been set annually since 2019, except for 2020. The national championship airs live on ABC for the third year. The sport’s growth includes daughters of former professional athletes, like Cari Spears, daughter of WNBA and NFL players. The NCAA anticipates continued growth and excitement in the sport.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has started rehab after surgery to repair two torn knee ligaments. The team is optimistic he could return early next season. The surgery was performed Monday night in Dallas, a day after Mahomes was injured in a game against the Chargers. Recovery typically takes about nine months, but it varies. The Chiefs are out of playoff contention after losing to the Chargers. Backup Gardner Minshew will lead the team for the final three games. Several other key players are also dealing with injuries, including Rashee Rice, who is in the concussion protocol. Mahomes plans to continue his rehab in Kansas City.

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — The Miami Dolphins are benching quarterback Tua Tagovailoa for rookie seventh-round pick Quinn Ewers. Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel says his decision to start Ewers on Sunday against the Bengals came down to who he felt gave the Dolphins the best chance to win. The decision came after Tagovailoa struggled in a 28-15 loss to Pittsburgh on Monday night that eliminated Miami from playoff contention. Tagovailoa leads the NFL with 15 interceptions and hasn’t played up to his contract after signing a four-year, $212.4 million extension in July 2024. He said he was disappointed by the benching and unsure what his future with the team will look like.